Most personal investors agree with Theresa May that no deal is better than a bad deal on Brexit, research suggests.

Some 55 per cent think the government should be prepared to walk away from the negotiating table, according to a survey of 1,000 customers of The Share Centre.

But confidence in Theresa May to deliver has plummeted since her disastrous general election, with 60 per cent of investors doubting her ability to strike a good exit deal with the European Union.

Most personal investors agree with Theresa May that no deal is better than a bad deal on Brexit, research suggests

Only 22 per cent think the Prime Minister can secure a good deal - down from 55 per cent before the General Election, with 18 per cent unsure.

The figures also showed personal investors are split on leaving the single market. Some 34 per cent want to leave it and seek a new trade deal, while 16 per cent want to leave and trade on World Trade Organisation terms.

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Conversely, 17 per cent want to leave the EU but remain in the single market while 29 per cent want to stay in the EU and want Parliament to vote down any exit deal.

Notably, only 6 per cent of investors have 'Bregrets' about their original referendum vote, evenly split between changing their vote to leave and changing it to remain.

David Davis and Michel Barnier, pictured at a press conference in Brussels, both struck an optimistic tone and said they will work together to come up with a suitable deal

The Share Centre boss Richard Stone said: 'It is clear that personal investors' confidence in Theresa May to get a positive Brexit deal for the UK has been badly dented by the outcome of the General Election with less than one in four now believing she can achieve a positive outcome, as compared to a majority who believed that to be the case in April.'

'Personal investors seem to favour a clean Brexit, with a majority also in favour of walking away from negotiations rather than seeking a deal at any price.'

'It is important not to overlook the fact that a 'no deal' outcome may prevail, not due to a failure of the negotiations, but rather because any deal will require support from the national government, and in some cases regional governments, in each and every one of the 27 EU member states,' he added.

'That may yet prove a higher hurdle to jump than reaching an agreement with the European Commission.'

David Davis (pictured arriving in Brussels) said there is 'more than unites us than divides us' ahead of the first round of official Brexit talks with EU negotiator Michel Barnier

Brexit Secretary David Davis began talks with the EU on Monday.

He declared the start of negotiations as 'positive' but rejected suggestions that – following Theresa May's surprisingly poor electoral performance – the UK might drop its hard-line Brexit plan.

He insisted 'the position hasn't changed', adding: 'We need back control of our borders, we will leave the single market and the customs union.'

Appearing in Brussels a year after the UK's decision to leave the bloc, the Brexit secretary echoed Winston Churchill by saying 'the optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty'.